Uruguayan FA Elects Five New Members To Exec Board, Approves Disciplinary Code

The Uruguayan FA (AUF) has a new exec board led by board President Wilmar Valdez, according to Silvia Pérez of EL PAIS. Going into a meeting on Wednesday, Oscar Curutchet was expected to be elected, but dropped himself from consideration. Valdez is joined on the AUF's new exec board by VP Jorge Barrera, Secretary General Alejandro Balbi, Economic Secretary Ignacio Alonso and National Team Secretary Roberto Pastoriza. The previous AUF board "stepped down amid controversy this week, which dates back to a fight last Wednesday during a Copa Libertadores match" (EL PAIS, 4/3).

NEW CODE APPROVED: EL PAIS reported at Wednesday's General Commission meeting, a new FIFA Disciplinary Code was approved. The "approval was required for the government to return security forces to football stadiums." The new code "aims to hold clubs responsible for the behavior of their fans" and will take effect starting next season (EL PAIS, 4/2).

CONMEBOL SANCTIONS: The EP reported CONMEBOL sanctioned the AUF on Wednesday, "temporarily and indefinitely suspending the AUF from participating in CONMEBOL, a measure that will not affect Uruguay's participation in the World Cup." CONMEBOL's sanctions "mean that the AUF cannot participate and vote in the South American congress or present proposals or candidates to be named president, VP or representative." CONMEBOL's decision "arrives as Uruguayan football faces a difficult moment due to violence in the sport" (EP, 4/3).